Best Baked Pesto Chicken Breasts Recipes

BAKED PESTO CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180 C / Gas mark 4. Line a baking dish with parchment or foil.
• Take the chicken breasts and smother them in the pesto on all sides. Use 4 to 8 spoonfuls of pesto, depending on your taste. Also season the chicken with salt and pepper if desired.
• Place the chicken breasts in the baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. At 30 minutes, quickly take the chicken breasts out of the oven and sprinkle with half the mozzarella, then with chopped tomato, followed by fresh chopped herbs then the remainder of the Mozzarella.
• Place the chicken back in the oven and cook a further 20 to 25 minutes, until the chicken is done and no longer pink, and the cheese is melted.

PROSCIUTTO-STUFFED BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray an 11x7-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Slice a pocket lengthwise, horizontal to the cutting board, in each breast, leaving the tips intact and not slicing all the way through. The larger end of the breast should be a sort of cupped shape. Gently open each pocket, pointing the cut edge up, and leaving them on the cutting board. Lightly season with salt and pepper.
• Place 1 slice provolone cheese on each chicken breast. Layer 1 slice prosciutto over cheese, lightly folding it so it does not hang over the edge of the chicken. Spoon 2 tablespoons pesto over each chicken breast and top with tomato pieces. Sprinkle seasoned bread crumbs over chicken. Arrange chicken in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, stuffing-side up.
• Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 30 to 40 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).